The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-22
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
The Senate Discusses the Evils Of the Liquor
Traffic In tho District of Coiumbia.


The Senate Discusses the Evils Of the Liquor
Traffic In the District Of Columbia.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-The presiding officer
presented a communication from the President
with letter from Samuel G. Reed. offering to
the Nation the sword of his father, Captain
Reed, who commanded the privateer General
Armstrong at the battle of Fayal. The Presi-
dent suggests that action be taken for the ac
ceptance of the gift Ordered printed and laid
on the table.
Mr.. Spooner was appointed on the committee
on privileges and elections to fill the vacancy
caused by the death Of General Logan.
Mr.. Colouitt presenting petition from the
Womans' Christian Temperance Union, of the
District of Columbia, said that he assumed no
responsibility for the startling facts revealed in
the petition, but he did answer for the pure mo-
tives and high character of those who laid it be-
fore the Senate. The petition was bold and
aggressive and CHALLENGED investigation of the
facts. It was a plea which mothers and wives
made TO "this body Of grave and reverend seig-
nors" for protection against such an excess OF
vice and lawlessness as should not only alarm but
humiliate the Senate. They could never disregard
the voice of woman raised in behalf of social
purity and public virtue. He asked that the pc
titon be read at length and referred to the Dis
trct committee. The petition was read. 1t
char ges the Commissioners Of the District of
Columbia with disregarding the purity, safety
and moral interests and rights of the people and
asserts that, in direct violation of law, they have
been, for months past, permitting and protect
ing gambling halls. pool-rooms and drinking es-
adjustments, as we'll as dens of prostitution and
vice, ana giving numerous particulars 1t
charges that house owned by one of the COM
1G1~ A., ~ =
Louisiana State lottery, and that Frank Hume,
the president OF the liauor-dealers' association,
is bondsman of one of the Commissioners. 1t
therefore prays for thorough investigation of
the facts and for the proper enforcement of law
and protection Of homes within the District
Mr. Hawley remarked that the petition just
read was a tremendous Indictment and shock
ing revelation. and he suggested that MIR. Col
quit should accompany it with a resolution call
ing for an immediate and severe investigation.
Mr.. Colquitt said he did not feel it incumbent
on him to make any suggestion to the commit
tee. He did not doubt that the committee
would be in full sympathy with any movement
to redress these heinous offenses, and would sug-
gest proper measures of redress.
Mr. ingalls,, chairman of the District commit
tee, said that the allegations presented in the
petition had long engaged the attention of the
committee There was no doubt that there was
a very great violation. not only of law, but of
moral and social order, in connection with these
transactions. Licenses had been granted in vio-
latl0n or statutory provisions But In Or0er tnaG
the Senate and the country might understand
that the district committee had neither been OBJ
ivious nor negectful of these matters, he felt it
his duty to call attention to the fact that, on
Feb. 4, 1886, he had introduced bill regulating
the sale of distilled and fermented liquors in the
district, and that on the 10Th of the same month
that bill had been reported by the committee.
and had subsequently passed the Senate. That
bill was now before the district committee OF the
House. If the other branch of Congress had
been as diligent as the Senate had been, one
great cause OF complaint as set forth in the petit
| ton, would have been removed.
The bill was read at length. It requires a
liquor license fee of $500.
| Mr.. Piatt said that while he regarded high
| license law as proper he preferred a prohbitory
law and he had intended to offer a prohibitory
law as substitute for the bill, but had been
| unavoidably absent, on account of sickness,
| when that bill was before the Senate.
The petition was then referred to the commit
| tee on the District of Columbia
Numerous petitions were presented by severa
| Senators for an amendment of the oleomarga
| rine law and for repeal Of the internal revenue
laws, and were referred to the committee on
| finance.
| Mr.. Brown offered solution. which was
| adopted requesting the President to communi
| cate to the Senate copies of all correspondence
| with the government of Mexico in regard to the
seizure and sale of the American schooner Re
| becca. in the port of Tamico; also, copies of al
| correspondence between the State Department
| and the late Minister jackson, with Mr.. Jack
sons letter to the President the subject of his
resignation.
| Mr.. Edmunds gave notice, on behalf OF tn,
committee on foreign relations, that to- morrow
| Immediately after the completion of the stric
morning business, he would ask the Senate L
consider the bill respecting the protection o
| American fishermen, which he had reported tn
other day. subsequently, however, the Senat
agreed to adjourn over till Monday.
A motion to reconsider the vote to adjourn
| was made and defeated-yeas, Il, nays %.
| The Senate then went into secret session, an
when the doors were reopened adjourned til
| Monday.